Zoellner prepares musical performances for winter season

You look at the calendar, and suddenly it’s December. The semester is drawing to a close which means that every last-minute assignment is due. It’s all so overwhelming that it’s sometimes hard to remember that it is also the holiday season.

However, many music groups throughout campus are gearing up for their own end of the semester rush, filled with performances to remind everyone there is time for celebration and enjoyment.

Lehigh University Choral Arts is having its “Christmas Vespers” concert in Zoellner Arts Center on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.

The show, directed by Steven Sametz, combines seasonal carols with Christmas readings from both the Bible and poetry, as well as classic works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. The show includes traditional African music; it’s a show that mixes up all sorts of holiday traditions.

The choir has been practicing since Nov. 1, Sametz said. The show is also bringing new aspects, with the premier of Sametz’s “Nativity,” and a new composition of “Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming” by Casey Rule, ’12.

“The candlelight performances in Lehigh’s historic Packer Church are free to the public. Early arrival is recommended to get good seats,” Sametz said.

The Lehigh University Wind Ensemble had a holiday concert on Dec. 2. It was titled “Something Old, Something New.” They had prepared throughout the semester on Tuesdays for the event.

The program featured music from the Bethlehem Steel Company Band, Catasqua Band and early Pioneer Band – these would be considered the “old” compositions. The old compositions are mixed with “new” music from the last couple of years, including works from a Lehigh music student, Andrey Stolyarov, ’12.

David Diggs, director of the ensemble, said of the concert, “This concert is an opportunity for the audience to experience music that spans over 100 years time, and they see the many changes that have happened in wind music over that space of time.”

In keeping with the tradition, the LU Philharmonic is putting on “The Nutcracker and Winter Fun.” It is to be held in Baker Hall, which is in Zoellner, on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are free for Lehigh students and range from $5 to $18 for others.

This is the second year that this show will be at Lehigh, mixing Tchaikovsky’s classics from “The Nutcracker” with new work from the fairytale “The Emperor and the Nightingale.”

The Jazz Ensemble, Band and Combo already kicked off the Christmas season with their concert on Dec. 3 in Zoellner. The show was directed by Bill Warfield and was heralded as a success.

All in all, the concerts going on around campus are the perfect way to feel like the holidays can happen even while school can seem overwhelming.

“It’s a nice break from studying,” said Liz Prinzi, ’13.

If you’re a student, you can have a taste of the holidays whether it be through the wind ensemble, choir, jazz band, or many other outlets, free of charge.

“Sometimes it’s easy to forget about the holidays when you’re at school,” said Tierney Gallagher, ’13. “It’s nice that these groups have concerts to remind us.”